Water takeoff for washing machine connector



Feb. 28, 1967 Filed April 6, 1964 INVENTORS T Y D m E M w E A R P o w L A N E g R A \l M E j w m0 3,306,319 WATER TAKEOFF FOR WASHING MACHINE CONNECTOR Norman L. Kendt and Don E. Payton, both of Louisville,

Ky., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,721 3 Claims. (Cl. 137-562) This invention relates generally to a connector for connecting a washing machine to a source of liquid under pressure and, more particularly, to a water takeoff means associated with the connector to allow one to draw liquid from the connector without detaching the connector.

Many devices are commercially available for use in connecting a washing machine to a source of liquid. These devices range from a threaded hose coupling to a more elaborate combined water source connector and etfiuent discharge outlet. The latter, a water source connector having an effluent discharge outlet combined therewith, is the type most commonly used with portable automatic dishwashing machines. This type is particularly useful with a portable dishwasher since dishwashers are commonly used in the kitchen and, in the kitchen, a source of liquid (faucet) is almost invariably associated with an effluent discharge receptacle (sink drain). It has therefore become quite commonto combine the connector for a portable-dishwasher with the efiluent discharge outlet so that, with manipulation of a single device, the housewife may set up both the water connection and the efiiuent discharge connection.

This arrangement has created a problem with regard to drawing water from the kitchen faucet while the connector was attached thereto. An entire wash cycle of an automatic dishwasher includes several separate admissions of water so that the connector must remain connected to the faucet throughout substantially all of the wash cycle, with the exception of the terminal portion of the cycle at which time the dishes are being dried and no water is required. It is a nuisance to the housewife to be unable to draw water from the kitchen faucet during this time that the dishwasher is connected. Solutions have been suggested to this problem but in most cases, the suggested solutions have created new problems. For example, auxiliary valve arrangements have been provided in conjunction with the connector; however, since these connectors must be limited in size to be compatible with both the kitchen faucet and sink as well as the connector storage means associated with the washing machine, the auxiliary valves are usually of such a small size that they are very difficult to operate. For example, many of the designs include a common push valve wherein the housewife must push the valve stem longitudinally to unseat the valve head from the valve seat to thereby draw water through the auxiliary valve. In actual practice, the water pressures present at the valve head create such a force that it is virtually impossible for a woman of only normal strength to operate the valve with any degree of case. To reduce the force required to operate a common push valve, the valve is usually made very small which results in a discharge rate so low that the valve is actually impractical if one wishes to draw a full glass of water.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved means to connect an automatic washing machine to a source of liquid under pressure.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved connector means for an automatic washing machine which will allow one to draw liquid from the connection without necessitating disconnection.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a water takeoff means for a washing machine connector which, due to its inherent mechanical advantage, may be operated with relative ease.

United States Patent Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, we provide a coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a source of water such as, for example, a water faucet. The coupling comprises a generally elongated body portion having means at one end to secure the coupling to the faucet. A fresh water passageway extends from the aforementioned means through the body portion to terminate at an outlet in a side wall of the body portion. The outlet communicates with the washing machine. A handle member is secured to the body portion and is hollow to form a liquid conduit therein. A valve seat is provided in the body portion at the point where the handle is secured thereto and a valve cooperates with the valve seat to allow or prevent fresh water from entering the handle. The valve includes a valve stem extending into the handle. The handle member houses a valve operator which includes a manually operable button, a shaft extending into the handle from the button, the shaft being adapted to engage and move the free end of the valve stem laterally and spring means to bias the shaft away from engagement with the valve stem. The valve is arranged such that it is opened when the shaft moves the valve stem laterally and is closed when the valve stem is in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the conduit within which it is situated.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of the coupling of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the relationship of the present invention with an automatic washing machine; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration showing the relationship of the forces necessary to operate the valve of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG- URE 1, there is illustrated a coupling 10 for connecting an automatic washing machine to a water faucet 11. Coupling 10 includes a generally elongated body portion 12 which has beans 13 at one end to secure the body portion 12 to the faucet 11. A lever 14, pivotally associated with a plate 15 is provided to facilitate operation of means 13 during the connection and disconnection of coupling 10 with faucet 11.

The upper part of body portion 12 is provided with a fresh water passageway 16 which includes an inlet (not shown) in supply relation with facuet 11, and an outlet 17 in a side wall of body portion 12. A hose 18; or other suitable tubing, interconnects outlet 17 with the fresh water inlet at the automatic washing machine. In the lower part of body portion 12 there is a vitiated water passageway 19 which receives vitiated liquid from the washing machine through conduit 20 and discharges it downwardly through outlet 21 into a suitable receptacle such as, for example, a common kitchen sink (not shown).

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to allow one to draw fresh water from the faucet 11 without necessitating disconnection of coupling 10. To achieve this desideratum the present invention proposes the addition of fitting 22 which has one end extending into passageway 16 and the other end extending out through one side wall of body portion 12. The part of fitting 22 which extends out of body portion 12 is adapted to receive one leg 23 of a handle member 24. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, leg 23 is hollow to form a passageway 25 therein for the conduction of liquid therethrough. Handle member 24 also includes additional legs 26 and 27. Legs 26 and 27 are in generally longitudinal alignment with each other and are each generally perpendicular to leg 23. Leg 26 is hollow to form a passageway 28. It therefore becomes quite obvious that liquid may pass from passageway 16 through passageway 25 and passageway 28 to be dispensed through an outlet 29 at the lower end of leg 26.

A seal 30 is provided to prevent leakage of fluids in the area where fitting 22 interconnects with body portion 12. Also, a seal 31 is provided to prevent leakage at the connection between leg 23 of handle 24 and fitting 22.

In order to control the flow of liquid from passageway 16 out through outlet 29, the end of fitting 22 which adjoins passageway 16 is provided with a valve seat. The valve seat cooperates with a gasket 32 and a valve head 33 to close off passageway 25 from passageway 16. A valve stem 34 extends from valve head 33 along the longitudinal axis of passageway 25 and terminates generally at the intersection of leg 27 with leg 23.

Carried within leg 27 is a valve operator including a manually operable button 35 which extends beyond the end of leg 27 to be conveniently operated by ones thumb. The valve operator further includes a shaft 36 extending downwardly into passageway 25. A spring 37 is provided to normally bias button 35 and shaft 36 upwardly. As can be sen from FIGURE 1, when button 35 is depressed, spring 37 is compressed and the end of shaft 36 engages the end of stem 34 and, as the button 35 is depressed further, stem 34 is moved laterally of passageway 25. This lateral movement of stem 34 results in valve head 33 and gasket 32 pivoting about a point near their upper extremity where this extremity engages the end of fitting 22. As valve head 33 and gasket 32 pivots, the lower portion of gasket 32 separates from the end of fitting 22 thereby allowing fluid within passageway 16 to enter passageway 25.

In actual practice, using coupling in combination with a domestic automatic dishwasher wherein the water faucet 11 is a standard kitchen hot water tap, the pressures within passageway 16 may vary from approximately 10 p.s.i. to 200 p.s.i. The normal pressure for a household water system is approximately 75 p.s.i. Taking into account the fact that in order to obtain any appreciable amount of flow at outlet 29, passageway 25 adjacent the gasket 32 must have a cross sectional area of about .2 square inch. This is the approximate cross sectional area of a .5 inch diameter conduit. As mentioned above, many of the devices existing today are designed so that the operator pushes a button in axial alignment with a member similar to stem 34. In other words, the operator is required to move the entire valve directly against the pressure exerted by the liquid. To point out what this involves, with the maximum of 200 p.s.i. a force of 40 pounds would be required to unseat the valve. Of course, it would be necessary to provide a closing spring to seat the valve after it was opened and the force of this spring would have to be added to the aforementioned 40 pounds required to unseat the valve. Similarly, at 10 p.s.i. water pressure a force of 2 pounds plus the closing spring force would be required and, at 75 p.s.i., the normal water pressure, a force of pounds plus the force of the closing spring would be required.

In contrast, the present invention, since it does not require the operator to directly apply a longitudinal force upon valve stem 34, requires a significantly lower operating force. The reason that a smaller force is required with the present invention is demonstrated in FIGURE 3 wherein the valve head of the present invention is shown schematically with the effective lengths of the valve stem represented by b and the radius of the valve head represented by a. Since, during opening of the valve, the valve head pivots about its upper extremity, a represents the distance from the pivot point of F the force applied to the valve head by the water pressure, while 12 further represents the distance from the pivot point of force F which is the force applied to the valve stem by the valve 4 operator. The mechanical advantage afforded by this arrangement can be expressed as follows:

Since in actual practice, the dimension b is approximately 2.25 inches and dimension a is approximately .25 inch:

M.A. =i 9 Applying this mechanical advantage to the forces listed above as required with a longitudinal movement of the valve stem, it can be seen that the force required with the present invention to open the valve when the liquid pressure within passageway 16 is 200 p.s.i., is approximately 4 /2 pounds; with 10 p.s.i. the force required is approximately .22 pound; and, under average conditions with the pressure at 75 p.s.i., the force required is about 1.7 pounds. Of course, in each of these conditions it is necessary to add the force required to compress spring 37. This force, in the preferred form of applicants invention, is approximately 2 pounds.

Another salient feature of the present invention is that, due to the fact that a tilting or pivoting movement is involved in the opening of the valve, there is no need to employ biasing means to reclose the valve. Once pressure is established in passageway 16, this pressure seals valve head 33 and gasket 32 against the valve seat. Since valve head 33 is tilted away from the valve seat only at the bottom, and remains in contact with the valve seat at the top, when shaft 36 is withdrawn from engagement with valve stem 34, the pressure in passageway 16 will readily reclose valve head 33 and gasket 32 against the valve seat.

Referring briefly to FIGURE 2, one can see the relationship of coupling 10 to an automatic washing machine such as, for example, dishwasher 38. Plate 15 serves as a support means for the coupling 10 when the coupling is in its storage position. Plate 15 also serves as a closure member for the opening in the washing machine cabinet which receives hose l8 and conduit 20. Of special importance, is the fact that the particular configuration of the handle member 24, i.e., having substantially longitudinally aligned legs 26 and 27 spaced from, but in substantial parallelism with, body portion 12, affords easy withdrawal of the coupling from the dishwasher cabinet.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet comprising:

(a) a generally elongated body portion adapted to be secured to the faucet in liquid receiving relationship thereto,

(b) a passageway within said body portion adapted to receive liquid from the faucet and transmit it toward the washing machine,

(c) a handle member having a first leg secured to said body portion,

(d) said handle member having a second leg generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said body portion,

(e) said first and second legs of said handle member being hollow to form a liquid conduit therein,

(f) a valve seat in said body portion at the point where said first leg is secured thereto, and

(g) a valve adapted to cooperate with said valve seat to allow or prevent fresh water from entering said (h) said valve including a valve stem extending into said first leg,

(i) said handle member having a third leg in generally longitudinal alignment with said second leg,

(i) said third leg housing a valve operator including a shaft extending into said third leg and being adapted to engage and move said valve stem laterally of said first leg,

(k) said valve being open when said shaft moves said valve stem laterally of said first leg and said valve being closed when said valve stem is generally aligned with longitudinal axis of said first leg.

2. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet comprising:

(a) a generally elongated body portion,

(b) means at one end of said body portion to secure the coupling to the faucet,

(c) a fresh water passageway extending from said first end through said body portion to terminate at an outlet,

(d) said outlet being adapted to communicate with the washing machine,

(e) a handle member having a first leg secured to said body portion,

(f) said handle member having the second leg generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said body portion,

(g) said first and second legs of said handle member being hollow to form a liquid conduit therein,

(h) a valve seat in said body portion at the point where said first leg is secured thereto, and

(i) a valve adapted to cooperate with said valve seat to allow or prevent fresh water from entering said first (j) said valve including a valve stem extending into said first leg,

(k) said handle member having a third leg in generally longitudinal alignment with said second leg,

(1) said third leg housing a valve operator including a shaft extending into said third leg and being adapted to engage and move the free end of said valve stem laterally of said first leg,

(in) said valve being opened when said shaft moves said valve stem laterally of said first leg and said valve being closed when said valve stem is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said first leg.

3. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet comprising:

(a) a generally elongated body portion having a first end, a second end, a first side wall and a second side wall,

(b) means at said first end of said body portion to secure the coupling to the faucet,

(c) a fresh water passageway extending from said first end through said body portion to terminate at an outlet in said first side wall of said body portion,

(d) said outlet being adapted to communicate with the washing machine,

(e) a vitiated water passageway within said body portion and extending from an inlet in said first side wall to an outlet in said second end of said body portion,

(f) a handle member having a first leg secured to said body portion at said second side Wall,

(g) said handle member having a second leg generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said body portion,

(h) said first and second legs of said handle member being hollow to form a liquid conduit therein,

(i) a valve seat in said body portion at the point where said first leg is secured thereto,

(j) a valve adapted to cooperate with said valve seat to allow or prevent fresh water from entering said (k) said valve including a valve stem extending into said first leg,

(1) said handle member having a third leg in generally longitudinal alignment with said second leg,

(m) said third leg housing a valve operator compris- (aa) a manually operable button,

(bb) a shaft extending into said third leg from said button,

(cc) said shaft being adapted to engage and move the free end of said valve stem laterally of said first leg, and

(dd) spring means to bias said shaft away from engagement with said valve stem,

(n) said valve being opened when said shaft moves said valve stem laterally of said first leg and said valve being closed when said valve stem is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said first leg.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 258,432 5/1882 Keith 251303 2,012,834 8/1935 Snyder et al 137562 2,638,929 5/1953 Delany et al 251-303 X 3,006,366 10/19'61 Jagusch 137-562 3,011,725 12/1961 Shames et al. 137-562 X 3,064,678 11/1962 Shames et al. 251--323 X FOREIGN PATENTS 250,127 9/1926 Italy.

526,426 5/1955 Italy.

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

E. K. FEIN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COUPLING TO CONNECT AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE TO A WATER FAUCET COMPRISING: (A) A GENERALLY ELONGATED BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE FAUCET IN LIQUID RECEIVING RELATIONSHIP THERETO, (B) A PASSAGEWAY WITHIN SAID BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO RECEIVE LIQUID FROM THE FAUCET AND TRANSMIT IT TOWARD THE WASHING MACHINE, (C) A HANDLE MEMBER HAVING A FIRST LEG SECURED TO SAID BODY PORTION, (D) SAID HANDLE MEMBER HAVING A SECOND LEG GENERALLY PARALLEL WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BODY PORTION, (E) SAID FIRST AND SECOND LEGS OF SAID HANDLE MEMBER BEING HOLLOW TO FORM A LIQUID CONDUIT THEREIN, (F) A VALVE SEAT IN SAID BODY PORTION AT THE POINT WHERE SAID FIRST LEG IS SECURED THERETO, AND (G) A VALVE ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH SAID VALVE SEAT TO ALLOW OR PREENT FRESH WATER FROM ENTERING SAID LEG, (H) SAID VALVE INCLUDING A VALVE STEM EXTENDING INTO SAID FIRST LEG, (I) SAID HANDLE MEMBER HAVING A THIRD LEG IN GENERALLY LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SECOND LEG, (J) SAID THIRD LEG HOUSING A VALVE OPERATOR INCLUDING A SHAFT EXTENDING INTO SAID THIRD LEG AND BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND MOVE SAID VALVE STEM LATERALLY OF SAID FIRST LEG, (K) SAID VALVE BEING OPEN WHEN SAID SHAFT MOVES SAID VALVE STEM LATERALLY OF SAID FIRST LEG AND SAID VALVE BEING CLOSED WHEN SAID VALVE STEM IS GENERALLY ALIGNED WITH LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST LEG. 